Pakistan celebrates 71 years of independence with zest

Pakistan is commemorating 71 years of independence today with immense zeal and zest.

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All the streets, roundabouts, main roads, private and public buildings across the country have been garlanded with illuminations, buntings, flags and decorations, and ardent citizens welcomed the day by launching fireworks at scattered places as clock ticked twelve.

The morning set about with a 31 gun salute in the federal capital and 21 gun salute in the provincial headquarters.

The flag hoisting ceremony held at Convention Center in Islamabad where President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest. At 8:59 am, siren was sounded and the traffic came to standstill for a minute to demonstrate national solidarity.

Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, other prominent personalities and foreign ambassadors also put appearances at the event.

Then Mr.President hosted the national flag with the national anthem played in the background. Later, Both Mr. Hussain and Mr. Mulk have extended heartiest felicitations to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of the Independence, Radio Pakistan Reported.

Change-of-guard ceremonies were also held at the mausoleums of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal in Karachi and Lahore, respectively. On the other hand, Pakistan Rangers officials at the Wagah border exchanged sweets with Indian Border Security Force personnel.

Special prayers were offered in mosques at dawn for peace, solidarity, and prosperity of the country.